OTTAWA, May 8, 2015 / CNW/ -As a safety precaution following a daily routine inspection, The Seaway International Bridge Corporation (SIBC), Ltd. has temporarily closed the South Channel Bridge of the Seaway International Bridge between Cornwall Island and Massena (NY) to traffic.  The SIBC crew identified that the south tower’s east expansion joint had experienced a shift in alignment. The bridge was immediately closed to traffic to allow for an appropriate engineering assessment.

Upon further investigation and engineering review‎ by both FBCL engineers and independent professional engineering consultants, it was determined that remedial work had to be done to a bridge component. The SIBC is proud to have always maintained an unblemished safety record and will continue to do so.

These works are expected to take some 48 hours throughout which the bridge will remain closed. Emergency vehicles are being permitted to cross, but in a controlled manner‎.

The bridge closure affects only the South Channel Bridge between Cornwall Island and Massena and has no impact on traffic across the North Channel Bridge between the city of Cornwall and Cornwall Island.

Further details will be published on the bridge project blog site over the weekend (www.cornwallbridge.ca).